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Our Work

The Breadfruit Institute at National Tropical Botanical Garden, is dedicated to promoting the conservation, study and use of breadfruit for food and reforestation.

The institute is using the knowledge acquired by more than 30 years of conserving and studying breadfruit to plant trees in tropical countries for food and reforestation, provide economic opportunity, and educate the public about the benefits of growing--and eating—this underutilized crop. Thousands of breadfruit trees now circle the globe in the tropics from Chuuk to the Caribbean to Cameroon. Breadfruit not only provides a critical food source for countries identified as not having enough to eat, it also provides a means to improve local economies through farming, retail produce, and the creation of value added products. In countries like Haiti and Bahamas where deforestation is widespread due to devastating storms and changing lifestyles, breadfruit trees offer shade and shelter for people, animals, and other crops while providing lumber, improving soil biology, and reducing erosion. The institute is dedicated to teaching our global community what a vital role breadfruit can have in increasing future food security and improving environmental sustainability.

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DIACRITICALS
National Tropical Botanical Garden is headquartered on the island of Kauai in Hawaii and recognizes the use of diacritical markings of the modern Hawaiian language including the ʻokina [ ʻ ] or glottal stop and the kahakō [ō] or macron. However, we have omitted these markings throughout our website to ensure the best online experience for our local, national and international users. Per our mission, NTBG is committed to perpetuating the survival of cultural knowledge and recognizes the importance of using these markings to preserve the language and culture of Hawaii. We respectfully use diacriticals in all of our printed communication beyond the online platform.